The Semester Seccess Coaching Program
Building a Foundation for College Achievement
Semester Success is a comprehensive coaching program designed for students who wish to begin their first year of college more fully prepared to succeed or return to college with greater skills after a challenging start. Through a structured approach to coaching concepts, skill-building, and accountability, this program helps students make the successful transition from high school to college life. The program begins during the summer before college and continues over the freshman year.
Based on proven strategies for college success, students in this program learn to meet the expectations of college-level academics through improved planning, organization, study habits, life/work balance, and academic skills. Students who have completed the program have demonstrated substantial improvements in course outcomes, including higher course grades and elevated GPAs.
Program Structure
The Semester Success program consists of two phases:
Phase 1: Summer Preparation (8 sessions)
Individual 1-hour coaching sessions with Dr. John Giordano before heading to college to build foundational college success skills before the semester begins.
Phase 2: Semester Support (16 weeks)
Weekly 1-hour sessions at the beginning of each week of the semester with Dr. Giordano (Monday or Tuesday)
30-minute check-in sessions with Dr. Giordano prior to each weekend (Thursday or Friday)
Weekly Schedule: Summer Preparation Sessions
Every session includes weekly planning and accountability, plus…
Session 1: Program Orientation & Self-Assessment
Introduction to the Semester Success coaching philosophy
Detailed assessment of personal strengths and growth areas
Reflection on high school experiences and transition concerns
Establishing personalized program goals
Introduction to college-level expectations
Session 2: Time Management Foundations
Introduction to digital calendar systems and time-blocking techniques
Assessment of personal productivity patterns
Creating a balanced weekly schedule template
Strategies for effective planning within the college schedule format
Introduction to task prioritization methods
Session 3: College-Level Study Skills
Differences between high school and college academic expectations
Note-taking strategies for different learning environments
Reading comprehension and annotation techniques
Introduction to critical thinking at the college level
Developing effective study environments
Session 4: Understanding Course Syllabi & Planning
Detailed breakdown of syllabus components and importance
Creating a master assignment calendar from multiple syllabi
Breaking down large assignments into manageable steps
Planning for exams and other major assessments
Strategies for managing multiple deadlines across courses
Session 5: Academic Self-Advocacy & Communication
Communicating effectively with professors and staff
Understanding office hours and how to utilize them
Email etiquette for academic settings
Asking for help appropriately
Developing relationships with faculty mentors
Session 6: Campus Resources & Support Systems
Comprehensive overview of available campus resources
Strategies for identifying and accessing academic support services
Introduction to writing centers, tutoring services, and libraries
Mental health and wellness resources
Creating a personal support network map
Session 7: Academic Writing & Research Skills
College-level writing expectations
Developing and supporting a thesis statement
Research methods and evaluation of sources
Citation styles and avoiding plagiarism
Planning and structuring academic papers
Session 8: Balancing College Life & Self-Care
Strategies for balancing academics, social life, and self-care
Setting boundaries and making healthy choices
Stress management techniques
Introduction to mindfulness practices
Creating a personal wellness plan for the semester
Weekly Schedule for Semester Support Sessions (once the college semester begins)
Every session begins with weekly academic planning and ends with accountability, plus…
Week 1: First Week Success Strategies
Navigating the first week of classes
Finalizing course schedule and materials
Setting up organizational systems
Refine digital calendar system and time-blocking techniques
First impressions with professors
Managing new social environments
Week 2: Syllabus Deep Dive & Course Planning
Detailed analysis of each course syllabus
Creating a comprehensive semester plan
Identifying potential challenge areas
Setting course-specific goals
Preparation strategies for upcoming assignments
Week 3: Advanced Time Management
Refinement of time-blocking techniques
Balancing course workload with other activities
Handling unexpected schedule changes
Strategies for maintaining focus and avoiding procrastination
Weekly and daily planning systems
Week 4: Developing Academic Confidence
Building participation skills in class discussions
Strategies for speaking up and contributing
Managing academic anxiety
Self-advocacy in challenging situations
Developing a growth mindset
Week 5: Study Strategies & Exam Preparation
Course-specific study techniques
Creating effective study guides
Memory techniques and retention strategies
Managing test anxiety
Planning for midterm examinations
Week 6: Writing Workshop & Assignment Planning
Review of current writing assignments
Strategies for handling multiple papers simultaneously
Drafting, revision, and editing processes
Utilizing writing center resources
Time management for writing projects
Week 7: Midterm Assessment & Adjustment
Evaluation of academic progress
Adjustment of strategies based on midterm performance
Communicating with professors about concerns
Utilizing additional support resources if needed
Refining goals for the remainder of the semester
Week 8: Major Projects & Research Papers
Breaking down major project requirements
Research methodologies and resource gathering
Creating outlines and project plans
Time management for extended projects
Balancing multiple major assignments
Week 9: Interest Exploration & Major Selection
Self-assessment of academic interests and strengths
Exploration of potential major options
Understanding degree requirements
Understanding Core/General Education requirement
Creating a tentative academic plan
Connecting with academic advisors
Week 10: Group Projects & Collaboration Skills
Strategies for effective teamwork
Communication in group settings
Managing group dynamics and conflicts
Balancing individual and group responsibilities
Time management for collaborative projects
Week 11: Maintaining Momentum
Strategies for managing motivation
Handling academic burnout
Reassessing and adjusting goals
Maintaining healthy habits
Preparing for the final stretch of the semester
Week 12: Final Exam Preparation Begins
Creating a comprehensive exam study plan
Strategies for different exam formats
Time management during exam period
Stress management for high-pressure periods
Preparing study materials and resources
Week 13: Wellness & Balance During Finals
Maintaining physical and mental wellness
Stress management techniques
Healthy sleep and eating habits
Balancing study time with necessary breaks
Creating sustainable routines during high-pressure periods
Week 14: Final Exam Week Strategies
Last-minute preparation techniques
Exam day strategies and routines
Managing multiple exams in close succession
Post-exam reflection and recovery
Celebrating accomplishments
Week 15: Semester Reflection & Assessment
Comprehensive review of semester achievements
Analysis of effective strategies
Identification of continuing challenges
Celebration of growth and progress
Planning for continued success
Week 16: Future Planning & Next Steps
Setting goals for upcoming semesters
Envisioning a multi-year academic plan
Envisioning internship and experiential learning opportunities
Building a professional network
Connecting academic work to future aspirations
Program Benefits
Students who complete the Semester Success program will:
Develop essential time management and organizational skills
Gain confidence in navigating college-level academic expectations
Build effective study habits and learning strategies
Learn to communicate professionally with professors and staff
Discover and utilize campus resources effectively
Develop self-advocacy and independent problem-solving skills
Create a balanced approach to academics, social life, and wellness
Establish patterns for long-term college success